Cleaning device

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus for cleaning a surface with a cleaning device having a body with a handle, a connector, and one or more cleaning heads that are removably attached to the cleaning device. Each cleaning head include a lower surface arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned and a dirt collection chamber permanently attached to the cleaning head. The cleaning head may include a support structure to support the dirt collection chamber and a cleaning sheet. The cleaning head also may include a suction nozzle. At least a portion of the dirt collection chamber may be made of a filter material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/931,781, entitled “CLEANING DEVICE” and filed Nov. 6, 2019 the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments disclosed herein related generally to cleaning devices, and more specifically to vacuums.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Cleaning devices are used in the home and office to clean floors and other surfaces. Various types of cleaning devices are known, such as vacuum cleaners and cleaning devices which use cleaning pads that are removably attached to the cleaning head of the device.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a cleaning head removably attachable to a cleaning device, the cleaning head having an upper side and a lower side, the lower side of the cleaning head arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned, and a dirt collection chamber permanently attached to the cleaning head, and a suction nozzle removably attachable to at least one of the cleaning head and the cleaning device.

According to another embodiment, a method of using a cleaning device is disclosed. The cleaning device includes a vacuum source, a body including a handle, and a connector to removably connect a cleaning head to the device. The method includes attaching a first cleaning head to the connector, the first cleaning head including a first a first dirt collection chamber, attaching a suction nozzle to the connector, operating the device to move dirt through the first suction nozzle and into the first dirt collection chamber, removing the first cleaning head from the connector, and disposing of the first cleaning head.

It should be appreciated that the foregoing concepts, and additional concepts discussed below, may be arranged in any suitable combination, as the present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

The foregoing and other aspects, embodiments, and features of the present teachings can be more fully understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning device according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a cleaning head according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the cleaning head of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the cleaning head of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a cleaning head according to another embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a cleaning head according to yet another embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a cleaning sheet being attached to the cleaning head of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows a partially exploded view of a cleaning head according to another embodiment;

FIG. 9 illustrates a cleaning device and a suction nozzle and cleaning head removably attachable to the cleaning device;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the cleaning head of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 illustrates a cleaning device and a suction nozzle and cleaning head removably attachable to the cleaning device;

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the cleaning head of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 illustrates a cleaning device and a suction nozzle and cleaning head removably attachable to the cleaning device;

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the cleaning head of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of a cleaning device, a suction nozzle, and a cleaning head removably attachable to the cleaning device;

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of a cleaning device, a dirt cup, and a cleaning head removably attachable to the cleaning device;

FIG. 17 illustrates a cleaning head being ejected from a cleaning device according to some embodiments;

FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the suction nozzle and cleaning head of FIG. 9 attached to a connector of the cleaning device of FIG. 9;

FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a cleaning head according to another embodiment;

FIG. 20 shows a cleaning device and a cleaning head removably attachable to the cleaning device according to some embodiments;

FIG. 21 shows a cleaning head removably attachable to a connector of a cleaning device according to other embodiments;

FIG. 22 shows a cleaning head being placed on the floor according to one method of using a cleaning device according to embodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 23 shows the cleaning head of FIG. 22 being connected to the cleaning device according to one embodiment;

FIG. 24 shows the cleaning device of FIG. 22 spraying liquid onto the floor;

FIG. 25 shows the cleaning head of FIG. 24 being disposed;

FIG. 26 shows a cleaning head being disposed according to another embodiment;

FIG. 27 shows a suction nozzle removably attachable to a connector of a cleaning device according to some embodiments;

FIG. 28 illustrates a cleaning sheet being ejected from a cleaning device according to some embodiments; and

FIG. 29 illustrates a cleaning head being attached to a cleaning device according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Cleaning a surface; such as a hard floor or carpeted surface, can be challenging when there is a variety of types of debris and spills, such as wet, dry, or mixed media spills. Cleaning devices are often suited for cleaning wet or dry debris, but not for cleaning both. As such; users typically need to use multiple cleaning devices to clean their floors. For example, the user may use a broom and/or vacuum cleaner to remove dry debris and then use a mop to dean up wet spills and/or to remove stains. In some instances, even with debris that is of the same type, a user may need to use multiple cleaning devices. For example, a vacuum may be successful at picking up large particles but may not capture smaller dust particles. Using multiple cleaning devices may be time consuming. For example, not only may the user need to use multiple cleaning devices, the user may need to use the same cleaning device more than once to fully clean the floor. For example, a user may need to sweep and/or vacuum the floor before mopping and then again after mopping, such as to pick up debris that was not removed from the surface prior to mopping or to pick up dirt or debris that was formed during mopping.

Using multiple cleaning devices also may be messy and/or require long setup time or after-use maintenance. For example, in some instances, the user may prefer to use a broom instead of a vacuum because of the readiness of the broom as compared to the time to set up the vacuum cleaner. With the broom, a user will sweep up and dispose of the dirt particles. Vacuums may require the user to either remove a bag from within the vacuum or repeatedly empty a dirt cup. Some cleaning devices have attempted to handle both wet and dry media, but some of these devices can have higher-set up times than using a broom and then a mop to clean a floor. Additionally, the after-use maintenance can be high for such devices, especially when cleaning liquids are involved. For example, some combination tools can become unsanitary or develop an odor if not properly cleaned after each use.

The inventors have recognized that advantages may be realized by having a cleaning head that collects wet and/or dry debris and is removably attachable to the cleaning device. A dirt collection chamber may be attached to the removable cleaning head to collect dirt being suctioned by the vacuum cleaner. The cleaning head may be constructed such that instead of opening the dirt collection chamber to dispose of the collected dirt, the dirt collection chamber is disposed of with the cleaning head.

For purposes herein, dirt being suctioned into the dirt collection chamber may include dry and/or wet media. For example, in some embodiments, a liquid applied to the surface may be absorbed by a cleaning sheet and also suctioned by the vacuum into the dirt collection chamber. In some embodiments, the wet media may be absorbed by at least a portion of the material used to form the dirt collection chamber. In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may be formed of a material which allows for fluid absorption into the material but does not allow for fluid transfer through the material. In such embodiments, fluid may not travel through the dirt collection chamber. For example, the material used to form the dirt collection chamber may be absorptive on the inner side of the dirt collection chamber, but impermeable.

In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may be permanently attached to the cleaning head. Without the need for detachment members, in some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber can be arranged to provide air filtration over a substantial surface area of the dirt collection chamber walls.

Advantages also may be realized if the user does not have to handle the wet or dirty cleaning head after operation of the cleaning device. For example, the cleaning device may be arranged to release the cleaning head after using the cleaning device such that the user does not have to grasp the cleaning head to discard it. With a permanently attached dirt collection chamber, and a release arrangement that does not require the user to touch the cleaning head, the cleaning head can be disposed of with limited or no user contact.

In some embodiments, the cleaning head includes a support structure to which the dirt collection chamber is attached. In such embodiments, the user may simply attach the cleaning head to the cleaning device, operate the cleaning device to move dirt from the surface and into the dirt collection chamber, remove the cleaning head, and dispose the cleaning head into a trash receptacle. Such a process may be repeated each time the user cleans the surface.

In some embodiments, the cleaning device may include a cleaning sheet and/or a liquid spray assembly to help with cleaning. In such embodiments, because the cleaning head may be the only part of the cleaning device to contact the surface and contain the wet and/or dry debris, the remainder of the cleaning device may remain clean throughout and after operation of the cleaning device.

As will be appreciated, the lower side of the cleaning head may directly contact the surface to be cleaned. In other embodiments, the lower side may indirectly contact the surface to be cleaned. For example, the lower side of the cleaning head may have one or more wheels to facilitate movement of the cleaning head on the surface. As another example of the lower side of the cleaning head indirectly contacting the surface, the cleaning head may include a cleaning sheet that contacts the surface to clean the surface during operation of the cleaning device. In some embodiments, the cleaning head includes a support arranged to hold the cleaning sheet on the cleaning head. In such embodiments, the cleaning sheet may be permanently or removably attached to the cleaning head.

In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber is positioned on the upper side of the cleaning head. In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber protrudes from the upper side of the cleaning head.

In some embodiments, the cleaning head includes a suction inlet to move debris from the surface into the dirt collection chamber. In some embodiments, the suction inlet includes a suction nozzle that extends laterally across a front of the cleaning head. In some embodiments, the suction nozzle is fluidically connected to a vacuum source of the cleaning device.

In some embodiments, the suction nozzle may be permanently attached to the cleaning head. For example, the suction nozzle may be integrally formed with the support structure of the cleaning head. The suction nozzle also may be fixedly attached to the support structure and/or to a cleaning sheet, such as via an adhesive or another suitable attachment mechanism. In such embodiments, the user may simply attach the cleaning head to the cleaning device, such as via a connector, as will be described, operate the cleaning device, and discard the soiled cleaning head.

In other embodiments, the suction nozzle may be removable attachable to the cleaning head. In such embodiments, the user may attach the suction nozzle to the cleaning head prior to attaching the cleaning head to the cleaning device for use. The user also may attach the nozzle to the cleaning head after the cleaning head is attached to the cleaning device. Once the cleaning head and nozzle are attached, the user may then operate the cleaning device to clean the surface, and thereafter discard the cleaning head with the attached suction nozzle.

In still another embodiment, the nozzle may be removably attachable to the cleaning device, such as to the connector, as will be described. In such embodiments, the user may attach the cleaning head and suction nozzle to the cleaning device, operate the device to clean the surface, and thereafter discard the cleaning head and/or suction nozzle.

In some embodiments, the suction nozzle and the cleaning head are both arranged to be disposable. As will be appreciated, the suction nozzle may become soiled at a different rate as compared to the cleaning head such that the user may replace one element more frequently than the other. For example, the user may replace the nozzle every month or every other month while the user may replace the cleaning head after every surface cleaning, after only part of the surface cleaning, or after another suitable time. In some embodiments, the cleaning head may include a support that is made of a thermoformed plastic or a cardboard pulp. In some embodiments, the nozzle also may be formed of a thermoformed plastic.

In other embodiments, the cleaning head may be disposable while the suction nozzle is reusable. For example, the user may remove the suction nozzle from the cleaning device such that the nozzle may be cleaned, but may otherwise leave the nozzle installed on the cleaning device (e.g., on the connector). In such embodiments, as with the above, the user may dispose of the cleaning head after each surface cleaning, after only part of the surface cleaning, or after another suitable time.

In some embodiments, the cleaning heads are stackable. In some embodiments, the dirt collection chambers are arranged to be collapsible. For example, the dirt collection receptacle may include a bag.

In some embodiments, the cleaning device includes a body having a handle, a vacuum, source, and a connector to connect the cleaning head to the cleaning body. In some embodiments, the connector includes a first engagement element and the cleaning head includes a second engagement element arranged to engage with the first engagement element to connect the cleaning head to the body of the cleaning device. In such embodiments, the cleaning head is held to the connector once the first and second engagement elements are engaged with one another.

In some embodiments, such as where the nozzle is separately attachable to the cleaning device, the connector also may include a third engagement element for engaging with a corresponding fourth engagement element on the suction nozzle. In such embodiments, when the third and fourth engagement elements are engaged with one another, the nozzle may be held to the connector.

In some embodiments, when the cleaning head is attached to the cleaning device, at least a portion of the dirt collection chamber may be covered by the cleaning device. For example, in some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may be covered by the connector used to connect the cleaning head to the cleaning device. In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may be formed at least in part by an air filter. In such embodiments, the air filter portion is covered by the connector when the cleaning head is attached to the cleaning device, and suction is applied to the air filter.

In some embodiments, the body includes a spray nozzle and a liquid reservoir to supply liquid to the spray nozzle. As will be appreciated, the liquid reservoir may be removable or permanently attached to the cleaning device. FIG. 1 illustrates a cleaning device 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in this figure, the cleaning device 100 may include a body 102 with a handle 104, a connector 106, and a cleaning head 108 which is removably attachable to the body, such as via the connector. In some embodiments, the handle may have a length that is adjustable to allow a user to adjust the height of the cleaning device. For example, the handle may be telescoping to increase or decrease the length of the handle.

As shown by way of example in FIGS. 2-4, the cleaning head 108 may include a dirt collection chamber 112 to collect debris removed from the surface. As will be appreciated, the dirt collection chamber may be a dirt cup, a dirt bin, or any other suitable container for collecting dirt such as dust or wet and/or dry media. In some embodiments, the cleaning head may have a support structure 110 (see also FIGS. 6, 8, and 10). In such embodiments, the dirt collection chamber 112 may be permanently attached to the support structure. For example, the dirt collection chamber 112 may be glued, heat sealed, or otherwise permanently affixed to the support structure. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 19, the support structure may include a substantially planar support frame, although the support structure may have other suitable arrangements. In such embodiments, the support structure may be arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned. In some embodiments, the support frame may directly contact the surface to be cleaned, though in other embodiments the support frame may indirectly contact the surface to be cleaned (e.g., via one or more wheels, a cleaning sheet, or a cleaning sheet with a backing pad).

In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber protrudes upwardly from the support structure. For purposes herein, the term “protrudes upwardly” means that the dirt collection chamber protrudes away from the support structure in a direction away from the surface being cleaned. In some embodiments, the support frame may include one or more grooves 115 to increase the rigidity of the support frame (see, e.g., FIG. 2).

As will be appreciated, the support structure and the dirt collection chamber need not be the same shape or size. For example, the support structure may be larger than the dirt collection chamber in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the support structure may have a substantially rectangular shape (top view) while the dirt collection chamber has a generally oval, racetrack, or otherwise curved shape (top view).

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2-4, 5, 7, 10, 12, and 14 the cleaning head may include a cleaning sheet 114, 214, 314, 414. The cleaning sheet may be attached to the lower surface of the cleaning head. For example, in some embodiments, the cleaning sheet may be attached to the lower surface of a support structure. In some embodiments, the lower surface of the support structure may be positioned opposite to the surface on which the dirt collection chamber is attached to the support structure. In some embodiments, the cleaning sheet may be larger than the support structure, although it may be the same size as, or smaller than, the support structure in other embodiments. The support structure and cleaning sheet may be the same shape or they may have different shapes.

In some embodiments, the cleaning sheet may be permanently attached to the cleaning head, such as permanently attached to the support structure. For example, the cleaning sheet may be glued, heat sealed, or otherwise fixedly attached to the support structure. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the cleaning sheet 214 itself may form the support structure of the cleaning head 208. In such embodiments, the dirt collection chamber 212 may be directly attached to an upper surface of the cleaning sheet 214. The suction nozzle 218 also may be attachable to the cleaning sheet 214 and to the dirt collection chamber.

In other embodiments, the cleaning sheet may be removably attached to the cleaning head. For example, the support structure may have one or more hook and loop fasteners that engage with hook and loop fasteners on the cleaning sheet. In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6-7, the cleaning sheet 314 may include a pocket 315 into which the support structure 310 is slidably inserted. As will be appreciated, in such embodiments, the cleaning sheet may be attachable to the cleaning head, such as to the support structure and/or the dirt collection bin, prior to attaching the cleaning head to the cleaning device. The cleaning sheet also may be attachable to the cleaning head after the cleaning head is attached to the cleaning device.

In some embodiments, the cleaning head may include a suction inlet arranged to transfer debris from the surface into the dirt collection chamber, such as via an airflow conduit, as will be described. In some embodiments, the suction inlet includes a suction nozzle 118. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 10, the cleaning head includes only an inlet opening 411 (see FIG. 10) through which debris is transferred into the dirt collection chamber, such as via an airflow conduit and a separately attached suction nozzle, as will be further described.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, the suction nozzle may extend laterally along a front portion of the cleaning head. The suction nozzle may have any suitable shape and size. The suction nozzle may extend along an entire width of the cleaning head in some embodiments. The suction nozzle also may extend along only a portion of the width of the cleaning head in other embodiments.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2-7, the suction nozzle 118 may be attached to the support structure 112. For example, the suction nozzle may be glued, heat sealed, or otherwise permanently attached to the support structure. In some embodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 2-4 and 6-7, the suction nozzle may be attached by being integrally formed with the support structure. In other embodiments, the suction nozzle is attached to the support structure via a suitable attachment mechanism, such as via an adhesive. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the nozzle may be attached to the cleaning sheet.

In other embodiments, the suction nozzle may be removably attachable to the support structure, or to another suitable portion of the cleaning head. For example, the support structure may have one or more engagement elements that engage with the suction nozzle to connect and hold the nozzle to the cleaning head. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, the cleaning head may have a channel 222 into which a nozzle coupler 220 of the suction nozzle 218 is insertable. As will be appreciated, the channel on the cleaning head may include a tube, pathway, passageway, or simply an opening into which the nozzle coupler 220 of the suction nozzle is insertable to connect the suction nozzle to the cleaning head.

In some embodiments, the shape and size of the channel may correspond to the shape and size of the nozzle coupler. For example, the nozzle coupler and the channel may have rectangular cross-sectional shapes in some embodiments, although the nozzle coupler and the channel may have other suitable shapes. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, the channel may be connected to or form a part of the dirt collection chamber.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, the channel may include engagement elements, such as first and second pins 224 that engage with corresponding grooves or openings 226 on the nozzle coupler 220. As will be appreciated, although the pins are shown on the channel and grooves or openings are shown on the nozzle coupler, in other embodiments, the grooves or openings may be formed in the channel while the pins are formed on the nozzle coupler. As will be further appreciated, although grooves and pins are shown in these embodiments, other engagement elements may be used in other embodiments to connect the suction nozzle to the cleaning head. In some embodiments, no engagement elements may be used, with the nozzle coupler instead having an interference fit with the channel.

In some embodiments, as shown by way of example in FIGS. 2-4, the cleaning sheet may be positioned behind the suction nozzle such that debris may be suctioned into the nozzle before the cleaning sheet reaches the debris. In some embodiments, the suction nozzle may be sized to allow both large and small particles to be suctioned into the dirt collection chamber while still maintaining a high air velocity to facilitate pickup. Large particles may be collected through the center of the suction nozzle at a larger central opening, while small particles may be collected along the entirety of the suction nozzle.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a device in which the suction nozzle 420 and the cleaning head 408 are both removably attachable to the cleaning device, such as to the connector 406. As shown in this view, in some embodiments, the suction nozzle is attachable to a front portion of the connector while the cleaning head is attachable to a bottom portion of the connector.

In some embodiments, as shown FIG. 9 and similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the cleaning head may have a channel 422 into which a nozzle coupler 420 of the suction nozzle is insertable. In some embodiments, the connector 408 may have engagement elements, such as first and second pins 424 on the channel that engage with corresponding grooves or openings 426 on the nozzle coupler of the suction nozzle. As will be appreciated, although pins are shown on the channel and grooves or openings are shown on the nozzle coupler, in other embodiments, the grooves or openings may be formed in the channel while the pins are formed on the nozzle coupler. As will be further appreciated, although grooves and pins are shown in these embodiments, other corresponding engagement elements may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, no engagement elements may be used, with the nozzle coupler instead having an interference fit with the channel in the connector.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show another embodiment in which the suction nozzle 418 is removably attachable to the connector. In such an embodiment, instead of having the support structure 410 as part of the cleaning head, 408, the support structure 410 may be attachable to the nozzle 418. For example, the support structure 410 may be integrally formed with the suction nozzle. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 12, the dirt collection chamber 412 may be attachable directly to the cleaning sheet.

FIGS. 13-15 show other embodiments in which the suction nozzle 418 is removably attachable to the connector. As shown in these views, in some embodiments, the cleaning head 408 includes only a support structure 410 and a cleaning sheet 414. In such embodiments, the cleaning device may include a dirt cup 450 arranged to collect debris. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 13, the dirt cup 450 may be disposed in the body 102 of the cleaning device. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 15, the dirt cup 450 may be disposed in the connector 406 of the cleaning device. As shown in FIG. 15, the dirt cup may be insertable into an opening 460 in the connector 406. In some embodiments, the opening may be formed in a side of the connector opposite to a side on which the cleaning head is attachable. As also shown in FIG. 15, in some embodiments, the dirt cup 450 may include a filter 462.

In still another embodiments, as shown in FIG. 16, the dirt cup may 450 be attached to a surface-facing side of the connector 406. In such embodiments, the support 410 and cleaning sheet may be positioned on a surface-facing side of the dirt cup. In some embodiments, the support may be attachable to the connector and/or to the dirt cup. In some embodiments, the cleaning device may include a filter. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the filter 462 may be positioned in the connector 406. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG., the filter 462 may be positioned in the body 102 of the cleaning device.

In some embodiments, the dirt cup is arranged to be reusable. In some embodiments, the suction nozzle 418, the cleaning sheet 414 and the support frame 412 may all be disposable, such that the user may attach and discard the soiled elements at different times. One or more of the elements also may be arranged to be reusable. For example, in some embodiments, the support structure may be reusable, such that the user may attach one or more cleaning sheets as the user cleans the surface.

As shown in FIG. 3-4, in embodiments in which the nozzle forms part of the cleaning head, the cleaning head may include an airflow conduit 116 arranged to transfer debris into the dirt collection chamber 112. As will be appreciated, the airflow conduit may include a tube, pathway, passageway, or simply an opening to the dirt collection chamber. In some embodiments, such an opening in the dirt collection chamber is always open. In other embodiments, such an opening may be selectively openable and closeable. For example, as will be described, the cleaning head may include a valve selectively openable to allow debris into the dirt collection chamber and selectively closeable to prevent debris from escaping the dirt collection chamber.

As shown in FIG. 18, in embodiments in which the nozzle is removably attachable to the connector, the channel 420 of the connector may cooperate with the nozzle coupler 420 to form the air conduit for transferring dirt and debris into the dirt collection chamber 412 via the suction nozzle 418 (see the direction of airflow labeled with arrow A). As with the above, the airflow conduit may include a tube, pathway, passageway, or simply an opening to the dirt collection chamber. In such embodiments, dirt entrained air may enter the suction nozzle, travel through the airflow conduit, and enter the dirt collection receptacle, such as via an inlet opening 411.

As will be appreciated, in embodiments in which the nozzle is removably attachable to the cleaning head, the channel 220 of the cleaning head may cooperate with the nozzle coupler to form an airflow conduit for allowing the passage of dirt and/or debris into the dirt collection chamber In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber may be arranged to maintain the dirt within the dirt collection chamber once the dirt has been moved into the dirt collection chamber. In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber includes a lip and internal valve that keeps dust, dry media, and/or wet media within the dirt collection chamber once the dirt has been moved into the chamber, thereby preventing dust and dry media from exiting via the suction inlet, such as when the vacuum is powered off. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, the dirt collection chamber may include a selectively openable and closeable valve 119 at or near the air flow conduit. In some embodiments, the valve may include one or more flaps that are pivotable between an open position O (see FIG. 16) when the vacuum is turned on and a closed position C (see FIG. 19) when the cleaning device is turned off.

As will be appreciated, in some embodiments, the valve may be integrally formed with at least a portion of the cleaning head. For example, the valve may be integrally formed with the support structure. The valve also may be separately formed and attached to the cleaning head. For example, they valves may be fixedly attached to the dirt collection chamber.

In other embodiments, such as that shown in FIGS. 10 and 21 where the cleaning head does not include a suction nozzle, the valve may be integrally formed with or otherwise attached to the dirt collection receptacle. For example, the dirt collection receptacle may include a cover arranged to cover the inlet opening when the vacuum is not in use. In some embodiments, the cover may be arranged to move away from the inlet opening (e.g., into the dirt collection receptacle) when the dirt collection receptacle is subject to a negative pressure (e.g., via a vacuum source).

As shown in FIG. 20, in some embodiments, the connector 106 is pivotally connected to the body 102 of the cleaning device to allow the cleaning head 108 to be pivotable relative to the body (see arrow P). As will be appreciated, the connector may pivot about one or more axes of rotation when moving relative to the body of the cleaning device.

In some embodiments, when the cleaning head is connected to the connector, at least a portion of the dirt collection chamber of the cleaning head is covered by the connector. In some embodiments, the entire dirt collection chamber is covered by the connector. The connector also may cover part of the support structure. In some embodiments, the connector does not cover the suction nozzle, though in other embodiments, the connector may be arranged to cover at least a portion of the suction nozzle or the entire nozzle.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the dirt collection chamber may be formed of a filter material. As will be appreciated, such filter material may filter the debris and moisture such that the debris and moisture stays in the dirt collection chamber as the air flows toward the suction source. For example, dirty air, debris, and/or moisture may remain in the dirt collection chamber 112 as clean air flows towards the suction source (see arrow A in FIGS. 4 and 15). In such an example, air flows through a portion of the dirt collection chamber formed of a filter material. In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the dirt collection chamber may include a top 113 a and one or more sides 113 b. In some embodiments, at least one of the sides 113 b is made of a filter material. In some embodiments, the entire dirt collection chamber is made of a filter material.

In some embodiments, the cleaning device may have an additional filter to remove particles that escape through the filter of the dirt-collection chamber. In some embodiments, the filter may be located on the connector 106.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, the cleaning head is removably attachable to the cleaning device. For example, the cleaning head may be attachable to a connector of the cleaning device. In some embodiments, the connector includes an engagement element that engages with a corresponding engagement element on the cleaning head to hold the cleaning head to the cleaning device during operation.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 20, the engagement elements include jaws 150 a 150 b that are selectively pivotable between an engaged position (e.g., toward one another) and a released position (e.g., away from one another). In some embodiments, each jaw may be separately moveable between the released and engaged positions. In other embodiments, the first and second jaws move simultaneously between the engaged and released positions. As will be appreciated, the jaws may be biased toward the engaged position such that when the user releases the actuator, the jaws engage with corresponding recesses 152 (see FIG. 2) on an engagement element 151 the cleaning head 108.

In some embodiments, the jaws may be moveable between the closed and engaged position via the engagement element on the cleaning head. For example, the engagement element 151 may have a tapered contact surface 153 that contacts the jaws and moves the jaws away from one another until the jaws move into the corresponding recesses 152, at which point the jaws may move towards one another into the engaged position.

In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 21, the cleaning head may include a flange 440 receivable in a one or more corresponding channels 442 on the cleaning head. In some embodiments, the flange may include one or more openings 444 which may receive pins formed in each of the channels. In some embodiments, the flange may extend around the inlet opening 411 of the cleaning head and the dirt collection receptacle. In some embodiments, the channels 442 are located on at or near the channel 420 arranged to receive a suction nozzle coupler. For example, channels may be located on either side of a distal end of the channel 420. In some embodiments, when the cleaning head is attached to the connector, the inlet opening is positioned adjacent to the distal end of the channel. In such embodiments, when the nozzle 418 is attached to the connector, the distal end of the channel is adjacent to the suction nozzle.

In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 14, the cleaning head may have one or more fasteners 446, such as posts, that engage with corresponding openings in the connector.

In some embodiments, the handle of the cleaning deice may include an actuator to selectively engage and disengage the engagement elements on the cleaning device to engage the cleaning head and/or the suction nozzle. For example the actuator may be actuated to engage the engagement elements on the cleaning head to attach the cleaning head to the connector for use, and thereafter disengage the engagement elements to discard the cleaning head. As will be appreciated, the actuator need not engage with the engagement elements on both the cleaning head and suction nozzle even though both the suction nozzle and the cleaning head may be attachable to the connector. For example, the suction nozzle may have an interference fit with the connector such that the user manually engages and disengages the suction nozzle with the connector. In such an example, the cleaning device may have an actuator that engages and disengages the cleaning head to attach and detach the cleaning head. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 27, the suction nozzle may include a release tab 180 to allow the user to disengage the suction nozzle from the connector.

In some embodiments, the cleaning head is made of rigid material such that the cleaning head may maintain its shape and allow the nozzle to maintain its shape once the cleaning head is held to the connector. For example, the cleaning head may be made of a cardboard or thermoformed plastic material. In some embodiments, both the cleaning head and the nozzle are made of rigid materials. In some embodiments, the support structure includes grooves to increase the rigidity of the support structure. In some embodiments, the nozzle may be formed of a rigid material while the cleaning head is not rigid. For example, the cleaning head may include a dirt collection receptacle attached to a cleaning sheet (see, e.g., FIG. 12).

In some embodiments, the cleaning device includes a vacuum source arranged to apply a vacuum to move dirt from the floor to be cleaned and into the dirt collection chamber. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 18, the vacuum source provides a suction effect, pulling air and any loose debris through the suction nozzle, airflow conduit, and into the dirt collection chamber. In such arrangements, the suction nozzle is fluidically connected to the airflow conduit and to the dirt collection chamber. In some embodiments, the vacuum source may be controlled via an actuator 149 located on the handle (see FIG. 1).

In some embodiments, the vacuum source may be located inside of the body of the cleaning device. For example, the vacuum source may be located near or in a liquid reservoir 159. In some embodiments, the vacuum may remain attached to the handle when the liquid reservoir is removed. In some embodiments, the vacuum source may be removed with the liquid reservoir. The vacuum source also may be located and may be located proximate to the connector and removable cleaning head. In some embodiments, the vacuum may comprise a motor. The vacuum source may include a secondary filter.

In some embodiments, the vacuum source applies the vacuum over the entirety of an exposed portion of a dirt collection chamber, such as over the walls of a dirt collection chamber formed of an air filter material. Such an arrangement can provide a sufficient volume air flow without undue pressure drop across the air filter. In some embodiments, the dirt collection chamber protrudes upwardly from the cleaning head to allow the connector to apply vacuum to the dirt collection chamber material. In such embodiments, this arrangement may allow the bag to fill toward the periphery of the bag and then to fill the bag toward the middle of the bag.

In some embodiments, the cleaning device, may include a spray nozzle 155 arranged to apply a liquid to a surface be cleaned. In some embodiments, the spray nozzle may be located on the body of the cleaning device. The spray nozzle also may be located on the connector. As will be appreciated, the spray nozzle may be located in any suitable location for applying the liquid to the surface to be cleaned.

In some embodiments, the device may include a liquid reservoir 159 that is arranged to supply a liquid to the spray nozzle. In some embodiments, the reservoir may be permanently attached to the cleaning devices, such as permanently attached to the body. The reservoir also may be removably attachable to the cleaning device. In some embodiments, the user may add a cleaning liquid and/or water to the liquid reservoir, such as through a filling port on reservoir. In some embodiments, the liquid reservoir may be sized to include a volume of liquid for several cleaning events. In such embodiments, the user need only attach a cleaning head prior to operating the cleaning device. In some embodiments, the liquid reservoir may be pre-filled, such that the user may purchase one or more liquid reservoirs that the user may attach to the cleaning device when the liquid reservoir is empty.

In some embodiments, the handle includes an actuator 157 to allow the user to activate the spray nozzle to apply a liquid to a surface to be cleaned.

In some embodiments, the cleaning device may be battery operated. In such embodiments, the battery may be rechargeable. In such embodiments, the user may charge the battery in between uses. In some embodiments, battery is arranged to maintain power for one, two, three or more cleaning events. In some embodiments, the batteries are replaceable. In some embodiments, the cleaning device may be powered by an electrical cord plugged into an electrical outlet.

According to another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 22-25, a method of using a cleaning device is disclosed. As shown in FIG. 22, the user may select a first cleaning head from a box of disposable cleaning heads. Next, the user attaches the first cleaning head to the cleaning device (FIG. 23). In such embodiments, attaching the first cleaning head includes attaching the cleaning head to a bottom of the connector of the cleaning device. In some embodiments, the cleaning head includes a dirt collection receptacle permanently attached to the cleaning head. The cleaning head also may include a cleaning sheet and, in some embodiments, a suction nozzle. In some embodiments, the method may attaching a suction nozzle to the cleaning head prior to attaching the first cleaning head to the connector.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 9, 11, and 13 (see the arrows labeled X), the method may include attaching the suction nozzle to the connector along with attaching the cleaning head to the connector (see the arrows labeled Y. In some embodiments, the cleaning head may be attached to the connector before attaching the suction nozzle, although the suction nozzle may be attachable before the cleaning head. In some embodiments; the method includes attaching the suction nozzle to a front portion of the connector. In some embodiments, the suction nozzle may be moved in a direction towards a front of the connector (e.g., in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cleaning device) to attach the suction nozzle to the connector. As will be appreciated, the suction nozzle may be attached to the connector in other suitable manners such that when the suction nozzle is connected the suction nozzle is positioned in front of the connector. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, for example, the suction nozzle may be moved in a direction towards the front of the connector to attach the suction nozzle to the connector. In other embodiments, the connector may be moved over and onto the suction nozzle, with the channel of the connector being aligned with and snapped onto the nozzle coupler to attach the suction nozzle to the connector.

The method also includes operating the cleaning device to move dirt through the suction nozzle and into the dirt collection chamber. In some embodiments, the user may apply a liquid to the surface to be cleaned (see FIG. 24). The method also includes removing the cleaning head from the connector and disposing the cleaning head in a trash receptacle (FIG. 25).

As shown in FIG. 26, in embodiments in which the suction nozzle is separately attachable to the connector, the method may include disposing the cleaning head and the suction nozzle in the trash receptacle. As will be appreciated, the suction nozzle need not be disposed in some embodiments (e.g., where the suction nozzle is reusable). In such embodiments, the method may include disposing the cleaning head in the trash receptacle while the suction nozzle remains connected to the connector.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 17, the connector may include a pivoting ejection plate 482 arranged to move outwardly and away from the connector. In such embodiments, the ejection plate may eject the dirt bin, which in turn, may cause the cleaning sheet to fall off of the connector. Although a single ejection plate is shown in FIG. 17 for ejecting the dirt bin and/or cleaning sheet, the connector may have two or more ejection members arranged to eject the cleaning sheet and/or dirt bin from the connector.

Although the cleaning has been shown and described as being attached to the bottom of the connector, such as by placing the connector over the cleaning head, the cleaning head may be attachable to the connector in other suitable manners. For example, as shown in FIG. 29, the connector may be arranged to snap around at least a portion of the cleaning head (e.g., a portion of the dirt cup). The cleaning sheet may thereafter be separately attached to the connector. In another embodiment, the cleaning head may include a pocket into which a portion of the connector is inserted.

In embodiments in which a cleaning sheet is attached to the cleaning head, wet and dry debris may be cleaned separately or simultaneously. For example, in some embodiments, the vacuum source may be turned on such that debris may be moved from the surface into the dirt collection receptacle. Dry debris already on the floor also may be picked up by the cleaning sheet while the vacuum source is turned on. In some embodiments, the surface also may include a wet spill, which may be absorbed by the cleaning sheet while the vacuum source is turned on.

As will be appreciated, the cleaning device may be used only as a vacuum cleaner in some embodiments. In some embodiments, while the vacuum source is on, the user may operate the spray nozzle (e.g., by pressing an actuator) to apply a liquid to the surface to be cleaned. In such embodiments, the cleaning device may be operated as a vacuum and as a mop at the same time. In some embodiments, the user may spray liquid onto the surface in the path of the cleaning head such that the wet debris is absorbed into the cleaning sheet at the same time that the vacuum moves debris from the surface into the dirt collection chamber. In some embodiments, the liquid may be sprayed onto the floor in a fan pattern, although the liquid may be sprayed on to the floor in other suitable patterns.

As will be appreciated, the cleaning device also may be operated as only a mop in some embodiments. In such instances, the user may simply operate the spray nozzle (e.g., by pressing the actuator) to apply the liquid to the surface to be cleaned. In such embodiments, the user may move the cleaning device back and forth to clean the floor. In embodiments in which the cleaning sheet is removably attached to the cleaning head, the user may remove and discard the cleaning sheet. In embodiments in which the cleaning sheet is permanently attached to the cleaning head, the user may discard the cleaning head after using the cleaning device as a mop.

In some embodiments, disposing the cleaning head includes discarding the cleaning head with the dirt and debris contained in the dirt collection receptacle and/or absorbed in the cleaning sheet. In some embodiments, disposing the cleaning head includes activing a release mechanism. For example, the release mechanism may move first and second jaw members away from one another to release the fastener from between the jaws and allow the cleaning head to fall away from the connector. As will be appreciated, in such embodiments, because the user is only activating a release mechanism, the user may not handle the wet or dirty cleaning head. As will be further appreciated, because the cleaning head is the only part of the cleaning head to contact the surface and all of the wet and/or dry debris is contained within the cleaning head, the remainder of the cleaning device (e.g., the connector and body) may be clean throughout and after operation of the cleaning device.

For purposes herein, containing the debris in the dirt collection chamber means that the dirt collection chamber is not openable by the user to dispose dirt collected in the dirt collection chamber. Instead, as described above, the cleaning head, with the entrained debris, is discarded in the trash receptacle. As will be appreciated, a user may rip or cut open the dirt collection chamber to allow debris to be emptied into a trash receptacle; however, such an action may damage the dirt collection chamber and may prevent the user from continuing to use the cleaning head. In a similar manner, the user also may break or pry open the dirt trap. As with the previous example, this action also may damage the cleaning head such that the cleaning head may no longer be usable with the cleaning device.

According to another embodiment, a kit includes a plurality of cleaning heads attachable to a cleaning device (e.g., via the connector), each cleaning head including a dirt collection receptacle. In some embodiments, each cleaning head includes a cleaning sheet. In some embodiments, the kit includes a single suction nozzle arranged to be attached to the cleaning device. In such embodiments, the cleaning heads may be disposable while the suction nozzle is reusable. In other embodiments, the kit may include a plurality of cleaning heads and a plurality of suction nozzles. In such embodiments, both the cleaning heads and suction nozzles may be disposable.

While the present teachings have been described in conjunction with various embodiments and examples, it is not intended that the present teachings be limited to such embodiments or examples. On the contrary, the present teachings encompass various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.

Various aspects of the present invention may be used alone, in combination, or in a variety of arrangements not specifically discussed in the embodiments described in the foregoing and is therefore not limited in its application to the details and arrangement of components set forth in the foregoing description or illustrated in the drawings. For example, aspects described in one embodiment may be combined in any manner with aspects described in other embodiments.

Also, the invention may be embodied as a method, of which an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.

Use of ordinal terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed, but are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the claim elements.

Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a cleaning head configured to be removably attachable to a source of suction, the cleaning head having an upper side and a lower side, the lower side of the cleaning head arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned, and a dirt collection chamber permanently attached to the cleaning head; and a suction nozzle being removably attachable to at least one of the cleaning head and the cleaning device.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cleaning head is arranged to hold a cleaning sheet on the lower side of the cleaning head.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cleaning sheet is permanently held to the lower side of the cleaning head.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cleaning head includes an inlet opening arranged to transfer dirt entrained air into the dirt collection chamber.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dirt collection chamber is positioned on the upper side of the cleaning head.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dirt collection chamber protrudes from the upper side of the cleaning head.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the suction nozzle and the cleaning head are disposable.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the suction nozzle is reusable and the cleaning head is disposable.
 9. A method of using a cleaning head, the cleaning head including a dust chamber, the method comprising: providing a cleaning head, the cleaning head including a dust chamber that is configured to be removably connected to a cleaning device; attaching a suction nozzle to the cleaning head; operating the cleaning device to move dirt through the first suction nozzle and into the dirt collection chamber; removing the suction nozzle from the cleaning head; and disposing of the first cleaning head.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising attaching a second cleaning head to the connector, the second cleaning head including a second dirt collection chamber.
 11. The method of claim 10, further including the step of attaching the suction nozzle to the second cleaning head.
 12. The method of claim 11, further including the steps of: operating the device to move dirt through the first suction nozzle and into the second dirt collection chamber; removing the suction nozzle from the second cleaning head; and disposing of the second cleaning head.
 13. A method as in claim 9, wherein the dirt collection chamber is permanently attached to the cleaning head.
 14. A method as in Tim 9, wherein the cleaning head includes a support for a cleaning sheet. 